Warrants are public records in Germantown, Wisconsin, pursuant to Wisconsin Open Records Law (Wis. Stat. § 19.31-19.39). This legislation establishes that records maintained by government entities, including law enforcement agencies, shall be accessible to members of the public with limited exceptions. The statute specifically affirms that providing citizens with information about governmental affairs is "an essential function of a representative government and an integral part of the routine duties of officers and employees."
The Washington County Sheriff's Office and Germantown Police Department maintain warrant records as part of their official duties. These records typically document the issuance of arrest warrants, bench warrants, and search warrants by judicial authorities within the jurisdiction. Public access to these records serves multiple governmental purposes, including:
Certain warrant information may be temporarily sealed or redacted in accordance with Wis. Stat. § 19.36 when disclosure would compromise an ongoing investigation or endanger public safety. In such instances, the records custodian must provide specific statutory justification for withholding information.
Members of the public seeking warrant information in Germantown may utilize several official online resources. The following governmental platforms maintain searchable databases that may contain warrant information:
Washington County Circuit Court Records: The Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) portal, commonly known as CCAP, provides public access to court records, including those related to warrant issuance. This resource is maintained pursuant to Supreme Court Rule 72.
Germantown Police Department Records: The Germantown Police Department maintains certain public safety records, though direct online warrant searches may be limited.
Washington County Sheriff's Office: The Sheriff's Office maintains a public-facing database of active warrants within the county jurisdiction.
Individuals seeking comprehensive warrant information are advised that not all records may be available through online portals. Some warrant information may require in-person requests at the appropriate agency:
Germantown Police Department
N112 W16877 Mequon Road
Germantown, WI 53022
Phone: (262) 253-7780
Official Website
Washington County Sheriff's Office
500 N. Schmidt Road
West Bend, WI 53095
Phone: (262) 335-4378
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Individuals seeking to determine if they are subject to an active warrant in Germantown should utilize the following official channels:
Direct Inquiry to Law Enforcement: Contact the Germantown Police Department at (262) 253-7780 during regular business hours. Pursuant to departmental policy, basic warrant status information may be provided to the subject of the warrant upon proper identification verification.
Washington County Circuit Court: Contact the Clerk of Courts at (262) 335-4301 to inquire about any court actions that may have resulted in warrant issuance. The court is located at:
Washington County Courthouse
432 E. Washington Street
West Bend, WI 53095
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Mid-Moraine Municipal Court: For municipal ordinance violations that may have resulted in a warrant, contact the Mid-Moraine Municipal Court at (262) 334-5700. Failure to appear for scheduled court dates or pay citations may result in warrant issuance under Municipal Code § 1-19.
Legal Representation: Consult with legal counsel who can make formal inquiries on behalf of clients. The Washington County Bar Association can provide referrals to qualified attorneys.
Individuals should be prepared to provide proper identification when making inquiries. Under Wisconsin law, knowingly providing false identification to law enforcement is prohibited under Wis. Stat. § 946.41.
The verification of outstanding warrants in Germantown requires adherence to established protocols. Members of the public may utilize the following official procedures:
In-Person Records Request: Submit a formal records request at the Germantown Police Department during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM). Requestors must complete a standard records request form pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 19.35(1).
Washington County Sheriff's Warrant Division: Contact the Warrant Division at (262) 335-4378. The division maintains comprehensive records of all active warrants within county jurisdiction.
Wisconsin Circuit Court Access Program: Access the CCAP system through public terminals available at the Washington County Courthouse or online. This system provides information on court cases that may indicate warrant status.
Third-Party Verification: Authorized third parties, including legal representatives, may submit records requests with appropriate documentation of legal authority to receive such information.
Pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 19.35(4)(a), records custodians must respond to requests "as soon as practicable and without delay." Standard processing times for warrant verification typically range from 1-3 business days depending on current departmental workload.
Warrant records maintained by Germantown law enforcement agencies and courts typically contain the following official information as prescribed by Wisconsin Statutes Chapter 968:
Subject Identification: Full legal name, date of birth, physical description, and last known address of the subject.
Case Information: Associated case number, originating jurisdiction, and statutory citations for alleged violations.
Judicial Authorization: Name of issuing judge or court commissioner, date of issuance, and expiration date if applicable.
Warrant Classification: Designation as arrest warrant, bench warrant, search warrant, or other specialized warrant type.
Bond Information: Specified bail amount and conditions, if applicable, pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 969.01.
Service Status: Documentation of whether the warrant has been served, attempted service history, and current status.
Supporting Documentation: Reference to underlying affidavits or complaints that established probable cause for warrant issuance.
Certain sensitive information may be redacted from public warrant records in accordance with Wis. Stat. § 19.36, including confidential informant identities, juvenile information protected under Wis. Stat. § 938.396, and information that would compromise ongoing investigations.